CVE-2024-44178

Protected-file modification via insufficient symlink validation

Published Sep 16, 2024 · Updated Apr 2, 2026

Symlink validation failure in PackageKit in Apple macOS allows local users to modify protected parts of the file system. Apple identifies insufficient symlink validation but has not disclosed the affected function or exact file operation that follows a crafted link. A locally running app is required; impact is limited to unauthorized modification of protected filesystem content, with no reported remote reachability or data disclosure.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Symlink validation failure in PackageKit in Apple macOS allows local users to modify protected parts of the file system. Apple identifies insufficient symlink validation but has not disclosed the affected function or exact file operation that follows a crafted link. A locally running app is required; impact is limited to unauthorized modification of protected filesystem content, with no reported remote reachability or data disclosure.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-44178
Published
Sep 16, 2024
Updated
Apr 2, 2026
Vendor
Apple
Product
macOS
Classifications
CWE-59, CWE-787, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 16, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <13.7
  2. Affected versionversion=0 <14.7
  3. Affected versionversion=0 <15

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Apple · macOSversion=0 <13.7; version=0 <14.7; version=0 <15

Published CVSS scores

5.5CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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